Eddie Kingston vs. Drew Gulak from CHIKARA Shock and Aww

This was a match from the year long “Challenge of the Immortals” tournament CHIKARA held in 2015. Eddie Kingston represents the Snake Pit while Drew Gulak represents The Gentleman’s Club. Kingston and Gulak are both apprehensive to lock-up. Kingston takes down Gulak in a double leg. Gulak gets to his feet first, with Kingston getting up when he’s certain Gulak won’t attack. Kingston twists Gulak’s hands in a double knuckle lock. Gulak breaks it and puts on a wristlock. Kingston throws slaps, but Gulak rolls him down to the mat while controlling the arms. He gets on a short arm scissors, but Kingston rolls to the floor. Gulak baseball slides into that arm. He does more damage to that arm by jamming it over his shoulder and twisting up Kingston’s arm in the ropes. Gulak puts on a top wristlock back in the ring and drives all his bodyweight on the shoulder. Kingston gets in a couple shots, but Gulak pulls down Kingston’s arm into his knees. Gulak rolls over Kingston’s leapfrog and sunset flips him for two. Gulak twists Kingston’s arm before driving it into the canvas. Kingston turns Gulak over and stomps on him. He whips Gulak to the corner. Gulak elbows Kingston to stop any follow up and comes off the second rope with a clothesline for two. He puts Kingston in a double wristlock. Kingston gets the ropes. Gulak headbutts Kingston in the stomach twice. Kingston lays in an enzuigiri. With his good arm he DDT’s Gulak for two. He facelock attempt is of no use. Kingston does however come off the second rope with a bulldog for another two count. Gulak from the apron jams Kingston’s arm over the top rope. He comes off the top with a dropkick for two. Gulak puts on a Kimura. Kingston rolls to the ropes for relief. Gulak ducks an enzuigiri.He puts Kingston in a Fujiwara armbar leading Kingston back to the ropes. Kingston’s Backfist doesn’t do much harm, and Gulak comes back with a rolling lariat for two. Gulak throws some shots to Kingston’s arm and head. Kingston hits a quick sit-out powerbomb to stop Gulak’s headbutts to the stomach. Gulak kicks out, so Kingston muscles him into a Northern Lights bomb for another two count. Another Backfist and a Backdrop Driver get Kingston the win at 13:13. It’s refreshing see these types of matches on a CHIKARA card, especially with two guys so good at mat wrestling and striking. I raise an eyebrow at Kingston using his arm and shoulder in his offense towards the ending stretch to win, especially when he has a multitude of submissions and the Sliding D in his arsenal. Despite that, they told a very good story and the crowd was engaged for the entirety of the bout. ***